The team Killer Bee, Darui, Yushiro, Sayami, Samui, and Mabui finally descended from the skies as Killer Bee's ink clones carried them to the threshold of Kumogakure. On the other side, Renga and Chinoike clan who were disguised as civilians, made their way through the village gates. Then they followed to meet young Ay, who had returned from Genbu Island alongside his sister, Aya. Despite her recent confrontation with her mother about joining the envoy team, Aya remained unnervingly calm, her face a mask of stillness.
Taking charge of the logistics, young Ay summoned the Chief House Planner of Kumo. With a brief, authoritative command, he allocated the west side of the village as a temporary residence for the newcomers, officially recording them as civilian refugees. The Chinoike clan moved to the designated district and began to settle.
While the clan established their new home, the weary combatants... Renga, Darui, Yushiro, and Sayami... were placed under the expert care of Benihime. She had returned to the village alongside the third Raikage along with a silent Kushina.
The recovery was swift. Sayami's hand, though badly injured, was healed by her in no time. Thanks to her own medical skills and the Bee's tentacle cocoon, Darui and Yushiro were quickly out of danger. Renga was also faring well as the Chinoike elders had patched him up, ensuring he was no longer in any peril which in turn became easy for her to bring back him back to optimum state.
After a final rounds of checks, Benihime looked toward a nearby medical ninja. "Where is the Chinoike clan leader?" she asked.
"He is waiting outside, Lady Benihime," the medic answered respectfully. "He is with Yugito and... an another woman."
Benihime stepped out of the ICU and paused. She saw her husband, the Raikage, embracing a man... En Oyashiro... tightly. The Raikage was laughing, thanking him with a sincerity, and his voice booming through the hallway. Benihime approached, intending to add her own thanks; they have saved the future talents of Kumo. Not a single one would have made it out alive if not for them.
As she neared, she caught Oyashiro's voice. "I chose to trust that young boy's words," Oyashiro said quietly. "I saw it as an opportunity for the Chinoike clan to finally join Kumo. But our clan still held deep qualms with the Daimyo of Land of Lightning of that time."
The Raikage released him, his laughter hearty and dismissive of old grudges. "A piece of cake," he declared. "Since you have already pledged your allegiance to Kumo, but let me say as the Raikage: the Chinoike clan is now a part of Kumo. Your enemies are our enemies, and you will fight for us."
The Raikage's eyes then shifted to the group of women nearby... Yugito and the tied-up captive by Oyashiro's side, and two other girls near the ICU door.
"Oho... Yugito, why are you here?" the Raikage asked, before gesturing to the bound woman. "And who is this supposed to be? Why are her hands tied?"
"She is a spy from Konoha," Benihime explained. "We are currently using her to feed falsified information back to Konoha."
The Raikage scratched his beard, a grin spreading across his face. "I've got an idea for that. But anyways that is for later."
The Raikage turned his attention toward the girls at ICU door. Though they were unaware of the new figure whose facial traits have changed significantly, they had overheard enough to realize exactly who stood before them.
"You have nothing to worry about," the Raikage said, looking at Mabui. "Your father is stronger than this."
"Renga is completely healed. Let's go see," Benihime added, leading the way into the ward.
~~
Inside, the scene was one of strange events. Sayami was pouting as Yushiro tried to coax her into eating sliced apples, while nearby, the stubbornly resilient Renga and Darui were performing floor push-ups.
"See? Nothing to worry about," the Raikage repeated.
Mabui didn't wait. She ran to her father, who stood up to meet her in a warm embrace.
"Sensei..." Darui's voice broke the moment. He stopped his exercise, looking down in shame. "It was my fault. I couldn't protect Kaien. I..."
"If you believe it is your fault, then grow strong enough so that you are never put in such a position again," the Raikage motivated his student. He then looked at Yushiro and Sayami. "I have no simple words for what you did. I heard you did your best to save my grandson, Kaien. Do not worry. Now that I am here, this will be over as quickly as it started."
Yushiro interjected the Raikage, "Raikage-sama, I have some news I wish to share."
Allowing the group a final moment of peace, the Raikage's tone shifted back to that of a commander. "Renga, Mabui... with me." In a blur of Body Flicker techniques, the Raikage, Benihime, Kushina, Renga, and Mabui vanished toward the Raikage Tower.
~~
Inside the office, young Ay sat in the Raikage's chair. He had already prepared the envoy team following their return from Genbu. Beside him, Killer Bee was uncharacteristically somber, lamenting his lack of speed... convinced that if he had been just a second faster, Kaien would be safe. Lady Aya sat nearby, her face showed nothing. Even with her son missing, her expression remained the calmest in the room.
The doors swung open. The Raikage entered, followed by Benihime, Kushina, Renga and Mabui.
Young Ay and Bee stood immediately. Inside Bee's mind, the Eight-Tails, Gyuki, gave a low, wary growl. "Careful, Bee. The man before you is dangerous." Because the Raikage's chakra signature had altered so significantly during his recovery, it was almost unrecognizable even to Bee who has now become a full fledged sensor.
The Raikage ignored the formalities, walking straight to the sofa where his daughter sat. He looked into her eyes. "It's time... you are with me." Aya simply nodded. Despite seeing her father awake and standing after two years in a coma, her mind remained entirely consumed by the safety of her son.
The Raikage turned to young Ay and Bee. "You both will stay here and safeguard Kumo while I go to Konoha. Benihime, you head back to Genbu."
He looked at the maps on the desk, his eyes sharp. "Prepare a battalion of two thousand. Station them at the Land of Frost, just in case."
"Let's go," the Raikage commanded.
Without another word, the Raikage, Aya, Kushina, Renga, and Mabui prepared their departure along side the envoy team, setting their sights toward Konoha.
~~
A/N: Kushina skill up with sage mode but not combat effective, and Genbu is eating the excess nine-tails chakra, as kurama is tries to loosen the seal. The Raikage thanks the Chinoike team and finally the Kumo team makes the move towards Konoha.
Thank you Zarassa van Cresh.
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